Travis County Commssioners Court
March 25, 2003
The Closed Caption log for this Commissioners Court agenda item is provided by Travis County Internet Services. Since this file is derived from the Closed Captions created during live cablecasts, there are occasional spelling and grammatical errors. This Closed Caption log is not an official record the Commissioners Court Meeting and cannot be relied on for official purposes. For official records please contact the County Clerk at (512) 854-4722.
Executive Session
We've come to the executive session part of our agenda. 38, receive legal advice to waive penalty and interest on taxes due. We may need an update on this item. Number 39, receive legal advice on the eligibility standards for programs and services in health and human services and veterans services department and take appropriate action. Consultation with attorney. There are a couple of legal questions there. 40, receive briefing from county attorney and authorize county to -- county attorney to accept, reject or counteroffer for settlement and take appropriate action in the matter of merlin handley versus Travis County Texas, city of Austin, Texas, dine in a dinwiddie individually and in her official capacity, casey ping, et al., Cause number a 02 ca 606 jn in the united states district court, western district of Texas, Austin division. Consultation with attorney exception to the open meetings act. 41, receive briefing from county attorney and authorize county attorney to accept, reject or counteroffer for settlement and take appropriate action in the matter of robert p. Maddox, jr., Versus Travis County, Texas in the 261st judicial district court of Travis County, Texas. Consultation with attorney exception to the open meetings act. 42, a briefing and take appropriate action regarding plaintiff's request for mediation in frederick pluet versus margo frazier, et al. Consultation with attorney exception to the open meetings act. 43, discuss, approve and take appropriate action regarding real estate issues for office space for various county departments, the real property exception to the open meetings act. Let's also announce this item under the consultation with attorney exception to the open meetings act. 44, receive briefing from county attorney and authorize county attorney to accept, reject or counteroffer for settlement or take appropriate action concerning fortview, incorporated, versus Travis County Texas, 353rd judicial court, cause number gn 300127. Number 45 is to receive briefing from county attorney and give direction regarding Travis County subrogation claim in the matter of deke pierce and take appropriate action. Consultation with attorney exception to the open meetings act. We will not need item number 46 because it is a repeat of item number 44. We will discuss these items in executive session and return to open court before taking any action.
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>> we have returned from executive session. Where we discussed the following items. Number 38 no further action required today. We do not need that back on the court's agenda. Number 39, we did get a few legal questions answered. Any action on that one?
>> no action required. Number 40 involving the spanky handedly matter I move that we authorize the county attorney to extend to the other side a counter offer in the amount of one year of base pay to mr. Handley and that we reject the offer to settle extended by him and his attorneys.
>> I second that. [inaudible] benefits just straight out.
>> just base pay.
>> base pay. Okay.
>> second.
>> any more discussion?
>> it will be back on the court's agenda next Tuesday in the event that we need it. All in favor? Show commissioners doherty, Davis, yours truly voting in favor.
>> abstain.
>> abstaining, commissioner Gomez. 41 involving the robert p. Maddox matter, I move that we authorize the county attorney to extend an offer to settle in the amount of $35,000. That we further represent a note of thanks to dan mansour for handling this for the county and todd clark, also. Any more discussion? All in favor? That passes by unanimous vote. 42, frederick pluet, we gave directions to county staff, hopefully they will be able to give us additional information next week. We will have it back on. 43 regarding office space for various county departments. Yours truly did execute the contract consistent with previous actions by the commissioners court and this item will be put back on the court's agenda as needed at some point in the future. Up to 45 days from today. 44 involving fortview versus Travis County.
>> we postponed it.
>> that was postponed.
>> all righty. It will be postponed until next week then. 45 the subfwraition claim in the matter of deke pierce, the attorney for mr. Pierce has made an offer to Travis County. Mr. Radland. In view of the fact that Travis County has expended more than $100,000 in this matter, and don't have another way to try to get reimbursed any of that, I move that we accept mr. Radland's generous offer, and that is that he would take 40% of attorney's fees and his expenses and we would share with mr. Pierce the balance.
>> second.
>> second that.
>> seconded by commissioner Davis and my thinking here is that any money is probably better than none.
>> I have a comment on that.
>> yes, sir.
>> judge, I can't support that. I mean, maybe it's just a philosophical bent that I have, but I do think that this is a frivolous lawsuit and I -- I would rather not participate in -- in -- and further any of the frivolous lawsuits throughout the country. So I -- I will be voting no on that.
>> okay. Any more discussion? All in favor? Show commissioners Davis, Gomez, yours truly voting in favor. Voting against commissioner daugherty. We did not need 46 as it is simply a repeat of number 44. Based on my calculation, that is all of our business today.
>> move we adjourn.
Last Modified: Wednesday, April 2, 2003 10:25 AM